Manuscript Preparation

Preparing a manuscript for the SEM Journal requires attention to both academic rigor and professional presentation. Clear communication and consistent formatting not only facilitate the peer-review process but also increase the visibility and impact of your work. Authors are encouraged to view manuscript preparation not as a final stage of their research but as an essential part of scholarly contribution. The journal therefore provides the following detailed guidelines to ensure consistency, accessibility, and the highest academic standards.

General Formatting

  • Manuscripts should be submitted in English and written with precision and clarity. The preferred length for research articles is between 35 and 40 pages, including all figures, tables, and references. Shorter or longer submissions may be considered if they make an exceptional contribution.
  • Font and spacing: Use Times New Roman, 12-point font, double-spaced throughout (including footnotes and references).
  • Margins: Set margins of at least one inch on all sides.
  • Pagination: Number all pages consecutively.
  • Headings: Use clear and consistent heading levels to structure the text.

Title Page and Abstract

  • Every manuscript must include a separate title page that contains:
  • A concise and informative title (no more than 15 words).
  • Full names of all authors.
  • Institutional affiliations, including department, university, city, and country.
  • Complete contact information for the corresponding author (email required).
  • ORCID identifiers for each author, if available.
  • Following the title page, provide a structured abstract of 150–250 words. The abstract should summarize the purpose of the study, the methodology used (including SEM specification), the key results, and the principal conclusions. At the end of the abstract, list 4–6 keywords to assist indexing and retrieval.

Equations, Figures, and Tables

  • SEM research often relies heavily on mathematical expressions and graphical representations of models. To ensure accuracy and readability:
  • Equations must be editable (prepared using MathType, or Microsoft Word) and numbered sequentially. Do not submit equations as images.
  • Figures and path diagrams should be clear, labeled, and embedded at appropriate points in the text, as well as submitted separately in high-resolution formats (minimum 300 dpi, TIFF, EPS, or PDF).
  • Tables should be concise and designed to stand alone, with descriptive captions and notes. Number tables consecutively and cite them within the text.

References

  • SEM follows the APA 7th edition style for references. While initial submissions may use another recognized standard (APA, Chicago, MLA), accepted manuscripts must be revised to conform strictly to APA 7th edition. Authors are responsible for ensuring accuracy and completeness in their reference lists.

Writing Quality

  • The strength of a manuscript lies not only in the quality of its data and analysis but also in its ability to communicate clearly with an academic audience. Authors should:
  • Develop a coherent argument that moves logically from theory to method, findings, and implications.
  • Avoid excessive jargon and ensure that technical terms are defined.
  • Use active voice where appropriate to improve readability.
  • Seek language review by a native English speaker or professional editor, especially if English is not the first language of the authors.
  • Manuscripts that are poorly written or unclear may be returned without external review.

Cover Letter and Submission(s)

  • Every submission must be accompanied by a cover letter addressed to the Editor-in-Chief. The letter should:
  • Identify the manuscript’s primary contribution to the field of SEM.
  • Confirm that the paper has not been submitted or published elsewhere.
  • Disclose any overlapping work, including preprints.
  • Suggest potential reviewers with relevant expertise (including institutional email addresses).

Authors must submit their manuscript through the online submission system. The manuscript should include:

  • A full version of the manuscript, including title page and author information.
  • High-resolution figures and tables as separate files.
  • Supplementary materials, such as datasets, R, LISREL, or Mplus syntax, or simulation code, where appropriate.

Providing supplementary files is strongly encouraged, as transparency and replicability are core values of SEM Journal.